Four men sought in armed robbery at Cumberland Farms in Ashburnham

ASHBURNHAM — Police are searching for four men who robbed Cumberland Farms with a gun and "mini-machetes" late Sunday night, demanding cigarettes, lottery tickets and cash.

The clerk activated a silent alarm about 11 p.m., according to a news release from Police Chief Loring Barrett Jr., after the armed robbers jumped the counter, showed their weapons and demanded Newport cigarettes, scratch tickets and cash.

They fled on foot down Pleasant Street approximately two minutes after entering the store at 67 Main St., Chief Loring said.

A state police police dog tracked the scent a short distance down Pleasant Street and then lost the trail, the release said.

Police believe the suspects were picked up in that area or had a vehicle parked there, the release said.

The cashier described the four male robbers as possibly white and in their 20s with brown facial hair, the release said. They were masked and hooded, of average height, about 5 feet, 10 inches, and had medium builds.

Two of the men were armed with knives described as "mini-machetes" with blades 7 to 12 inches long, one was armed with a revolver with an 8-inch barrel, and the other was armed with an unknown weapon (knife or gun), the release said.

Ashburnham police are working with area police departments, including the Fitchburg Police Department, that have had a rash of similar robberies recently, the release said.

Police are asking anyone with any information to call (978) 827-4413.

Contact Paula Owen at powen@telegram.com. Follow her on Twitter @PaulaOwenTG